HOW TO BE A SAVVY SHOPPER

Being a savvy shopper is more than finding bargains in the sales, it's about making the most of your money and knowing what it is you really want and really need. It's also about finding your own individual style, don't replicate someone else's - be inspired by it.

The most important thing to being a savvy shopper is 'know thy-self'. Only ever buy something that you feel confident in, otherwise you won't wear it. Always picture what you already have, will this item go with more than 5 items in your wardrobe right now? Imagine where, when and how you will wear it. Always be open to new trends, but only buy something that you love - aim for a multi-functional wardrobe that reflects your personal taste and unique lifestyle.

The most important tip is to clear out your wardrobe at least every 6 months, preferably seasonally. You're definitely not going to be wearing a turtleneck in summer or denim shorts in winter, so clear out your wardrobe and ask yourself, can I wear this again next year? If yes, put it away, but don't forget about it. This technique helps you identify what you have for this season, what you need, and most importantly, your wardrobe staples.

Basics and staples are essentially what make your wardrobe, a good pair of flattering denim jeans and a warm coat are items that will make up your everyday outfits. Basics such as camisoles are perfect for layering, especially during the winter. Core colours such as black or white are your best option.

The art of mixing high and low price points is one of the best qualities of a savvy shopper. Search for pieces that look expensive without compromising on quality - sometimes an investment is worth it. You know what it will be because you will love it, however, the best items to invest in tend to be handbags, coats, shoes and jeans.

Always be aware of current fashion trends- the 70's are huge right now. The best way to do this is to sign up to emails from your favorite stores, this way you will also get to know about promotions first.

Now you know what it is that you want, need and love - you need to make a list. Look online before you go shopping for each item, so you know which ones you like the most without impulse buying the first item you see, as you would in-store. Remember to only buy what you love.

Now for the best part, you've bought your new items and know your whole wardrobe. Take time to mix and match your outfits, add shoes, coats, bags and accessories - decide when and where you will wear these outfits. Keep practicality in mind. Create as many outfits as possible by changing one or two items, this process will also help identify any holes in your wardrobe, add those items to your next wishlist.

By following these simple steps and techniques, you will develop your own sense of style and find you have a little more extra cash to get things that you really do need.

GIVENCHY SS16 READY-TO-WEAR NYFW

On the 14th anniversary of 9/11, Ricardo Tisci brought his Givenchy collection to New York. The runway set was created using debris and recycled materials, so it could be assembled and demolished with no waste. The designs were 'sensitive' and 'delicate'. Understandably, creating a contrast of both spring/summer seasonal appropriation and respect for a such a tragic moment in time, was never going to be a simple task. The collection was a completely monochrome palette, with almost every garment featuring a different weave of lace. It included a mix of womenswear, menswear and an innovative approach to haute couture - the use of media within the collection was mainly use of lace and leather. The leather hardened the soft exterior of the delicate lace, a good example being leather leggings under a sheer lace ball gown. The womenswear was a beautiful combination of modern tailoring with a sheer mesh, to add a hint of seductiveness to the garments.

MILAN FASHION SCHOOL

During my recent trip to Milan, we were fortunate enough to have a tour around one of the most sucessful fashion schools in the world - instituto Marangoni. We were introduced to one of the course leaders, who gave us a tour of the facilities and told us what it really takes to become a student there. The fashion and design school is based in Milan, London, Paris and Shanghai. The intensive fashion design programme there promotes a multidisplinary approach to fashion design that can open doors to some of the most famous fashion houses.

CHANEL SPRING SUMMER 2016 READY TO WEAR

Fashion is famous for it's global destinations, and Chanel makes no exception - from Moscow to Seoul to Salzburg to Dallas; the house has presented a show in all of them. It was the season of travel and technology at Chanel last week in Paris. The show was opened by Edie Campbell rushing to his no doubt glamourous destination down Chanel's runway in a checkered tweed jumpsuit whilst rolling a black Chanel suitcase. Chanel branded luggage trollies, smiling staff behind check-in desks, transformed Paris' Grand Palais into it's very own exclusive Chanel airport. 'A first class affair'. Classic Chanel trademarked tweed skirt suits were hurried down the catwalk by Karl's line up of classic beauties. Some were pencil skirts, dropped shoulder jackets and three quarter sleeve jackets, others donned trackpants, knitted skirts and sweater ensembles. Airport fashion has always been a desirable look, however the hustle and bustle of an airport makes the reality of that very unrealistic, but these outfits would most definitely get these models a one way ticket to first class, as Karl said, 'it's how it should be!'. There was lots of layering within the collection, which has always been one of the most important tips for airport fashion, that, and not being able to fit a weeks worth of clothes into your luggage. Come fly with Chanel? Yes please.

PRADA SPRING 2016 READY TO WEAR

Modern retro-chic. Like many of the collections I've been posting about, the collection featured many conservative pieces including the power suit, boxy jackets and drop waist dresses, however they all had a modern take on them. Art-deco/space-age vibes were inserted in these clean everyday aesthetics. The models had robotic metallic lips and scooped back futuristic cosmic 'do's' with squared off and slicked down sides. Yokes and bibs on dresses were replaced by plastic fishnet disks, maximalism is back.

ALEXA CHUNG IT BOOK REVIEW

I've been looking forward to getting my hands on Alexa Chung's book IT for quite some time and shamefully, I choose books by their covers and the faded pink binding made it irresistible to me. Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to IT. Me personally, I can't seem to relate to Alexa in any way but I adore her effortless chic ways and her IT girl status makes her probably one of the coolest fashion icons in history. The best way to describe this book is that it's an autobiography/diary with the occasional 'how to look effortless and it actually be effortless' makeup/styling tips that Alexa 'spontaneously' threw together into a book in one day. It's cool and also totally uncool. The book includes a lot of random drawings that represent that grungy/dark and dirty side to her. I read it overnight, but there's something strangely alluring about it that makes me want to read it again. I love the cover, but the content just isn't to my taste, but if I were to write a book it would most definitely be pink too.

BURBERRY PRORSUM SPRING 2016 READY TO WEAR

FUNCTIONREGALIA is the name of the Burberry prorsum show that took place in Hyde Park during London Fashion Week. Burberry upped their tech game this season by releasing almost the entirety of the collection by 7pm the previous night on an app no other than Snapchat. The nation was blessed with watching the beautiful collection from the comfort of their own home on one of the most popular social media platforms. Sephora streamed the first ever live beauty tutorial on YouTube. Feminine shapes took to the catwalk gliding past familiar front row faces, including Burberry girls, Kate Moss, Cara Delevigne, Suki Waterhouse and Jourdan Dunn. Modern urbanities will be craving those oyster silk slip dresses suspended by spindly spaghetti straps with the famous Burberry trench coats casually thrown over. The trench coat will take a girl anywhere, even through to autumn with a trusty knit underneath. The collection showcased an array of pretty dresses like the intricate and flirty sheer mini's in black, yellow and mint.

TOPSHOP UNIQUE SPRING 2016 READY TO WEAR

Topshop Unique is one of LFW main highlights and with the likes of Cara Delevigne, Bella Hadid and Zayn Malik in the frow, along with a live stream to Topshop.com, the show was sure to be a hit. Topshop proved that manish suits and crucial styling are key, a skinny belt tied around some trusty tailoring and big 80's hair will not go unnoticed. The show featured a palette of pastels, rich red and monochrome ensemble's. Frilly blouses and flowing tea dresses with thigh high splits advertised feisty leopard print and 60's polka dots. They were topped with bomber jackets and chunky knits, red leather skirts and a pink leather coat also made an appearance. Fluffy scarves and shoes, and even daytime pyjamas inspired by the Japanese were flaunted, although they are trends most likely to not be leaving the catwalk.

DKNY SPRING 2016 READY-TO-WEAR

Two words - monochrome and suits. Hosted in the Westfield World Trade Centre West Gallery, Donna Karan watched dependably from the audience, after giving up her role as founder of one of the greatest fashion houses in history to Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne. Aware of their need to fill the shoes of a woman with such great respect, the Public School graduates delivered with a certain level of sophistication. Tailoring was of the essence, the first look perfectly summed up the modern collection that would follow - a classy pin stripe suit jacket over a crisp white playsuit. The elegant legginess toned out the masculine vibe from the mens classic wardrobe staple. The pair said: "We wanted to explore the idea of the working woman, specifically in the setting of the city. Starting with a hyper contextualized idea of tailoring in the workplace but stripping it down and pairing it with the ease of classic American sportswear." And they couldn't have said it better. The focus was tailoring, but the construction and manipulation of the garments was what really made the collection what it was. The bottom half of a jacket or a pin-striped knit was sliced off to reveal beautiful a crisp white fabric. The collection was perfect for the modernised working woman in the city.

CAROLINA HERRERA SPRING 2016 READY TO WEAR

To my delight Carolina Herrera's Spring 2016 collection rightfully claimed it's place in the Frick museum's garden room on the Upper East Side - making it the first collection to ever be showcased among many artistic masterpieces. The modern minded designer has embraced high tech materials stitched onto transparent mesh, creating a whole new meaning of discreet, but other pieces sported a higher density mesh. CH claims to be in her 'rose period' she said backstage, which comes as no surprise after she recently launched her new fragrance 'born in rose'. Her palette of blush, lavender, lilac and white welcomes the invigorating season and the transparency of organza and chiffon was used sparingly, creating mystery within the sensuous collection. Shoulders were bare and flesh was exposed, and for a treat for the less tame, black pleated chiffon was carefully embroided with sequins - creating a racier collection for the youth. Surprisingly to many, CH was eager to avoid prints this season as she's featured them a lot in the past, modern minded, but the rose print slip dress was still beautiful.